[Mb-civic] Community Internet - Broadband Capability And Services

[Bahram Maskanian]

free press 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=1&url=http://www.freepress.net/>

Dear Fellow Americans,

Hundreds of U.S. cities and towns are finding that the best way to 
guarantee universal, affordable Internet access to their residents is to 
provide it themselves. But without your calls to Congress 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=2&url=http://www.freepress.net/action/callcongress.names.php?state=MA&action=cba>, 
these Community Internet projects may be shut down by big cable and 
telephone companies.

New networks are taking root across the country. These projects improve 
access to information, provide education and job training, enhance 
public safety and bolster local economic development. They're even being 
used to connect families and provide relief to thousands of Americans 
displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

To learn more about Community Internet near you, visit Free Press' new 
interactive map 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=3&url=http://www.freepress.net/communityinternet/networks.php> 
profiling more than 270 projects nationwide.

find a network near you 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=4&url=http://www.freepress.net/communityinternet/networks.php>

These innovative networks are not without enemies. The giant cable and 
telecom companies would rather squash these local efforts than provide 
more Americans with affordable Internet access. Industry lobbyists have 
pushed through laws in 14 states that prohibit or restrict municipal 
broadband projects.

But on Capitol Hill, Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and John McCain 
(R-Ariz.) recently introduced a bill (S. 1294) that would "preserve and 
protect the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability 
and services."

Please call your senators now and ask them to co-sponsor
the Community Broadband Act. 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=5&url=http://www.freepress.net/action/callcongress.names.php?state=MA&action=cba>

Tell them about local efforts underway in your state and urge them to 
support this crucial legislation. Please forward this message to all 
your friends and encourage them to call their Senators now. 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=6&url=http://www.freepress.net/action/callcongress.php?a=cba>

Onward,

Ben Scott
Policy Director
www.freepress.net 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=7&url=http://www.freepress.net/>

P.S. A group of Community Internet developers, coordinated by our 
friends at the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the 
Champaign-Urbana Wireless Network, have converged in Louisiana and set 
up wireless networks and Internet phones at a series of shelters for 
evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Click here to help the relief effort 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=8&url=http://www.cuwireless.net/>.

P.P.S. To learn more about the Free Press Community Internet campaign, 
visit www.freepress.net/communityinternet 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=9&url=http://www.freepress.net/communityinternet>.

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You are receiving this as a Free Press E-Activist. 
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=40234323&url_num=11&url=http://www.freepress.net/action/signup.php>


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